External seizure mechanism for RF node connector

ABSTRACT

A spring-loaded device is installed into a node housing at a predetermined location. The predetermined location is selected to correspond to another predetermined location into which a stinger may be installed. These predetermined locations on the node housing are selected to further correspond to a predetermined internal location of an RF interface connector. A conducting pin of the RF interface extends through a dielectric between a nail head shaped end, which provides electrical connection with the stinger projection, and an end soldered to a PCB of the amplifier. The amplifier may be installed and the node housing closed before the stinger and spring-loaded device are installed into the housing. This facilitates installation of the stinger into the housing without having to open the housing and remove the amplifier. External threads on the spring-loaded device facilitate installation thereof, but a unique torque is not required therefor.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to Pfister, etal., U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/340,403 entitled“External Seizure Mechanism For RF Node Connector”, which was filed Dec.14, 2001, and is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, generally, to communication networkshaving radiofrequency (“RF”) amplifiers, and, more particularly, to connections atnetwork nodes.

BACKGROUND

As broadband networks continue to move from the experimental realm tothe order of the day for network and service providers, thecompetition-driven need for providers to reduce costs of implementationincreases proportionally. Community Antenna Television (“CATV”) hastraditionally relied on metallic coaxial (“coax”) cabling to delivervideo signals. The conductors that transport the signals through thenetwork may be typically connected at various points within the network,such as head ends, or central offices, nodes and subscriber premiseequipment (“SPE”) devices. The conductors are typically connected at thevarious types of equipment with connectors that are typically designedto minimize signal loss and to have impedance that matches that of theconductor(s) being connected.

The nodes may include electrical devices that are located outdoors andmay be aerially hung from a conductor strand. Whether a node is mountedinside a cabinet affixed to the ground, or installed aerially, atechnician typically installs a stinger, a device known in the art forproviding an RF connection through a penetration into a housing. Thestinger may comprise a hollow metallic shell threaded on the outside, acenter conductor and a dielectric interposed between the conductor andthe inner surface of the shell. The center conductor projects axiallyfrom the stinger such that the device resembles a bee stinger, hence thename. There are various types and styles of stingers known in the art,some designed for lab testing and some designed for field-use. In alab-test style stinger, the end opposing the projecting conductortypically has a RF terminal. The field-use stinger typically has amechanism for capturing and transferring electrical signals to theshield and conductor of a coaxial cable. The stinger is threaded intothe node housing penetration, which is typically threaded to receive thestinger. When the stinger is in the installed position, the conductorprojection into the node housing is guided into a predeterminedposition. The stinger conductor is guided by a guide device that mayinclude a narrow channel to locate the conductor such that the nail headof a threaded seizure connector device may contact the center conductorwhen the seizure connector is screwed into place towards the guide, theaxis of the seizure connector being perpendicular to the stingerconductor. Moreover, the seizure connector is typically screwed intoplace with a predetermined torque, the torque value determined to causethe center conductor to be “seized,” or clamped, between the nail headand a metallic button that is located on the surface of the guide deviceunderneath the center conductor.

To guide an RF signal from the stinger conductor through the seizureconnector, the nail head penetrates the seizure connector through adielectric device and terminates with a conducting pin inside a barreldefined by the seizure connector. This forms the male end of an RFconnector such that the center conductor penetrates a matching female RFconnector affixed to an amplifier assembly that houses node-processingcircuitry. Although this arrangement provides acceptable transfer of RFsignal power into or out of a node, the process of installing a node orperforming maintenance is cumbersome because the stinger must beinstalled before the seizure connector is screwed into place using atorque wrench.

The seizure connector is screwed into place before the amplifier islocated within the housing and the connection between the networkconductor and the node circuitry is made. Furthermore, if the torquevalue for installing the seizure connector is exceeded, the stingercenter conductor may be deformed, possibly causing degradation of thetransfer of the RF signal power from the stinger to the seizureconnector. On the other hand, if the torque value is too low, theconnection between the nail head of the seizure connector and thestinger conductor may not be sound, thus resulting in poor signal powertransfer as well. In addition, even if the torque applied in installingthe seizure connector is proper, the nail head surface, as well as thestinger conductor, may nevertheless become deformed. This is because thenail head is turning against the stationary stinger conductor as theforce imparted to the conductor is increasing, thus gouging the contactsurfaces, which may result in decreased transfer of signal power at RFsignal frequencies.

To replace a stinger or remove a node, especially a node that isaerially hung from a strand, the amplifier, which may be secured intothe node with a plurality of screws or other fasteners known in the art,must be removed. This typically requires opening the node housing, whichmay typically be a hinged, clamshell housing fastened with screws orother known fasteners. After the amplifier has been removed from thehousing, the seizure connector is unscrewed so that the seizing, orclamping force, exerted by the seizure connector nail head towardsstinger conductor and opposed by the guide button, is relieved so thatthe stinger can be unscrewed from the node housing.

Thus, there is a need for a method and system that reduces the number ofsteps for installing or removing a stinger from a node, thus resultingin a less cumbersome method of installing a node in a network.Furthermore, there is a need for a method and system for providing aneven and constant exertion of force for maintaining contact between thestinger conductor and the nail head. There is also a need for a methodand system for minimizing damage that may occur to the stinger conductorand nail head contact surface areas due to gouging as the seizureconnector is screwed towards the stinger conductor.

SUMMARY

An objective of the invention is to provide a simplified method andsystem for seizing a stinger center conductor between a force exertingmeans and the end of a conducting pin, the pin being part of a connectormeans having an axis perpendicular to the axis of the center conductor,to facilitate transferring of electrical energy from the stinger to theconnector.

It is another objective to provide a means of exerting said for suchthat a unique torque is not specified for providing contact between thestinger conductor and the pin. Furthermore, it is an object to provide amethod and system for exerting said force in a substantially constantamount regardless of slight tolerance variations in the alignment amongthe stinger center conductor, the force exerting means and the pin ofthe connector.

It is yet another object to provide a method and system for exerting aforce on the stinger conductor, thereby bringing it into contact withthe center pin of the connector, but without gouging the surfaces ofcontact of the pin or the stinger conductor.

Generally described is a system for connecting an RF node into a networkcomprising means for electrically interfacing with a stinger signalconductor and means for exerting a resilient force opposing theinterfacing means, the exerted force maintaining the stinger conductorin positive contact with the interface means. The exerting means mayinclude a non-conductive plunger having a distal face for applying theexerted force towards the electrical interface means. A transitionbetween the distal face and a side face of the plunger may be chamfered.The interface means may include a conductor button, also referred to asa nail head, for contacting the stinger conductor at a contact area, thebutton being at the end of a pin that functions as the center conductorthrough a dielectric.

The exerting means may be rigidly installed into a housing, the housingdefining mounting holes for the exerting means and the stinger such thatan axis of the exerting means and the interface means are coaxial. Theinterface means may be rigidly mounted and located to a circuitamplifier such that when the amplifier is installed into the housing,the stinger conductor may be interposed between the exerting means andthe electrical interface means at a right angle to the axis of theopposing interface and exerting means when the stinger is installed intothe housing.

Also generally described is a method for installing a node comprisingthe steps of rigidly attaching at a predetermined location on a circuitboard of an amplifier an RF connector having an electrical interface,installing a stinger into a housing of the node and installing a forceexerting means for resiliently forcing the center conductor of thestinger against the electrical interface of the RF connector. Theamplifier may also be installed into the node housing before or afterthe exerting means has been installed.

A process to remove the node comprises the steps of partially removingthe exerting means from the housing to reduce or remove the forceexerted against the stinger conductor and removing the stinger from thehousing. The amplifier may also be removed from the node housing if theexerting means has not been removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical outdoor strand mounting of a node.

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical node housing with modules installed. Twostingers are shown, one installed and the other before installation.FIG. 3 illustrates an electrical interface aspect that penetrates anamplifier chassis and is attached to a printed circuit board.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plunger aspect for forcing a stinger conductor intocontact with an electrical interface aspect.

FIG. 5 illustrates an installation of as electrical interface and aplunger, the plunger partially installed, into a node housing beforeelectrical contact between the electrical interface and a stinger centerconductor is made.

FIG. 6 illustrates an installation of as electrical interface and aplunger into a node housing such that electrical contact between theelectrical interface and a stinger center conductor is made.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it readily will be understood by those personsskilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broadutility and application. Many methods, embodiments and adaptations ofthe present invention other than those herein described, as well as manyvariations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparentfrom or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the followingdescription thereof, without departing from the substance or scope ofthe present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood thatthis disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the presentinvention and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full andenabling disclosure of the invention. The following disclosure is notintended nor is to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations,variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the presentinvention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and theequivalents thereof. Furthermore, while some aspects of the presentinvention are described in detail herein, no specific metallic, plasticor other material, housing or chassis shape, or connector size, forexample, is required to be used in the practicing of the presentinvention.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a typical architecturalscenario 2 of a broadband network where a network node 4 isstrand-mounted from a support wire 6. Cables 10, 11, 12 and 13 maytypically be coaxial cables for transmitting RF signal information aswell as AC power. Information signals may be provided to and transmittedfrom node 4 via multiple optical fiber inputs in line bundle 8 andreturned to the network via output lines 10, 11, 12, and 13. Node 4typically provides information signals to subscribers via subscriberdrop line. Coaxial cables may each be connected to a connector means atthe outside of the housing of node 4, the connector means typicallypassing the signal through a penetration in the outer wall of thehousing. The connector means that passes are typically designed toprovide a watertight seal, since node 4 is exposed to the elements, asopposed to merely passing a cable through a hole in the side of thehousing and directly connecting the cable to a circuit board inside.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a node housing 14 is shown in an open state. Asshown in the drawing, housing 14 may typically be a hinged clamshellenclosing various components, such as modules 15 A-n, in the lowerportion, or lid 16 of the housing. The upper portion 18, or base, ofnode housing 14 may typically contain an amplifier chassis 19 shown inthe drawing as a chassis outline for clarity, the chassis typicallybeing a rigid frame like structure for mounting a printed circuit board(“PCB”). The term “amplifier” and function thereof are known in the artand the PCB circuitry typically includes means for providing RF signalinterface functionality. For example, this functionality may includeseparating or isolating a low frequency power supply signal from a highfrequency RF signal, before the separated or isolated signals arefurther processed and then provided to or received from modules 15 andother circuitry contained in lid 16. It will be appreciated that onlythe outline of amplifier 19 is shown, although the edges hidden by base18 are shown as dashed lines. Otherwise, as amplifier 19 would obscuretheir view, some items to be described hereafter in connection with FIG.2 would have to be shown with dashed lines, thereby reducing clarity.Similarly, the PCB is not shown in the drawing for clarity so as not toobscure the view of items to be discussed hereafter. However, amplifier19 as used in the illustrated embodiment may be thought of as arectangular baking dish oriented so that the viewer of the figure islooking into the dish with the PCB being inside the dish, the bottom ofthe “amplifier” being oriented into the drawing when placed within base18.

As discussed above, a watertight connection is provided to pass the RFand power signal from a coaxial line through node base 18. The signaltypically penetrates base 18 via a stinger 20, stingers being known inthe art. Stinger 20 may be threaded so that matching threads in port 22receive the stinger, which may also locate a sealing o-ring or gasketbetween nut 24 and port 22. Stinger 10 typically has a capture andlocking mechanism at network side 26 for transferring electrical signalsto connecting lines, such as lines 10, 11, 12, and 13 shown in FIG. 1.The housing side of stinger 20 typically includes a center conductor 28that transfers a non-grounded signal received at network side 26 to theinside of housing 14. The stinger conductor 28 is typically forced intocontact with another connecting means inside housing 14, the otherconnecting means having an axis substantially perpendicular to the axisof stinger 20, which runs coaxially with center conductor 28. The otherconnecting means is typically part of a system of two assemblies, whichwill be described infra, the system being referred to as a seizuremechanism.

One of the assemblies, a force exerting means 30A-n, typically isinstalled into the into ports 32A-n of base 18. The force from exertingassembly 30 is opposed by an RF electrical interface means 34, which istypically mounted rigidly to a PCB that is located by amplifier chassis19. Amplifier chassis 19 locates interface means 34 such that thecoaxial axis of the interface means and exerting means 30 issubstantially perpendicular to the axis of stinger 20, such thatconductor 28 intersects said coaxial axis. It will be appreciated thatthere will typically be a like number of interface means 34 as there areexerting means 30 and stingers 20. However, only one interface means 34is shown in FIG. 2 for clarity. Furthermore, all ports 22 and 32, andhence stingers 20 and exerting means 30 respectively, need not belocated at one end of housing 16, as those skilled in the art candetermine the best location of these items, based on particularinstallation needs. It will further be appreciated that housing 16 maybe manufactured with a plurality of ports 22 and 32, in number greaterthan the number actually used, in which case the unused ports could besealed with a blind plug known in the art, such as a port plug, forexample.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the electrical interface means 34 of theconnector system is illustrated in detail. The interface assembly 34 isattached to PCB 36, which is mounted to amplifier chassis 19. The bodyof interface 34 may typically be made out of a conducting material, suchas brass, for example, and may comprise a castellated ring section 38,the castellations 40 defining PCB mounting prongs 42 projecting fromsaid castellations. It will be appreciated that although twocastellations 40 and prongs 42 are shown, the number of castellationsand prongs may be more or less than two.

The body of interface 34 further includes barrel 44, which extends fromring section 38. Barrel 44 extends from ring 38 to the extent that itpasses through and beyond amplifier chassis 19. Furthermore, barrel 44may typically be threaded around the outside to receive retaining nut46. Thus, barrel 44 extends beyond outer face 48 of amplifier chassis 19to provide enough threads for securing interface 34 and chassis 19 withnut 46. It is noted that the cross section of ring section 38, as wellas nut 46 will typically be larger that the hole in chassis 19 throughwhich barrel 44 passes. Thus, interface assembly 34 may be rigidlyattached to chassis 19 for mechanical stability, and, in addition, toprovide system ground interconnection from the chassis to the interfaceassembly. This also bolsters the ground interconnection between chassis19 and PCB 36 if prongs 42 are attached to ground traces, such as withsolder, for example.

To provide RF signal transfer, dielectric 50 is forcefully retainedwithin barrel 44 and extends through and past the projected extent ofthe barrel. Within dielectric 50, conducting pin 52 is forcefullyretained, and may be soldered to PCB 36 at solder ball 54. Conductingpin 52 extends past the dielectric projection approximately 0.125″, forexample, whereupon the pin flares slightly to create a nail head surface56 that provides a contact surface for the stinger center conductor, asdescribed above.

Turning now to FIG. 4, exerting means 30 is shown in the preferredembodiment as a plunger arrangement. The body of exerting means 30includes barrel 58, plunger 60 and spring 62. Spring 62 is compressedwithin barrel 58 such that plunger 60 is motivated away from flange 64and hexagonal head 66. Plunger 60 is restrained from being expelled fromthe barrel as plunger base 68 is forced into contact with stop lip 70.Barrel 58 is threaded so that after a stinger has been installed into anode housing, a technician may install the exerting means 30 into thenode housing by turning hexagonal head 66 with a wrench. Application toexerting device 30 of a unique and specifically narrow unique torquevalue, or range of values, is not required when installing it to ensurethat the force exerted against a stinger conductor is within a narrowrange. This is because plunger 60 is spring loaded with spring 62, whichis preferably a coil or other type of spring having a typically linearforce versus displacement curve.

Thus, manufacturing tolerance of the distance between flange 64 andplunger end 72 need not be extremely precise to ensure that apredictable force is applied to the stinger conductor. If spring 62 ismanufactured to have sufficient deflection (preferably on the order ofapproximately four or five times the diameter of the stinger centerconductor, but can be more or less, depending upon criteria determinedby one skilled in the art), a field technician may turn hexagonal head66, which is rigidly connected to barrel 58, until flange 64 is stoppedagainst the outside of the node housing. An additional quarter turn forexample, may be applied to hexagonal head 66 to ensure that it isadequately seated against the housing. Thus, installation is quick andeasy, without the requirement of using a torque wrench, or other specialtools. The nominal excess deflection designed into the compressionlength of spring 62 compensates for differences in length betweenplunger end 72 and flange 64, as well as other slight manufacturingdifferences, such as, for example, the distance between the housing faceagainst which flange 64 stops and the centerline of the penetration intowhich a stinger is installed.

Along with the even exertion of force provided by the spring loadedcharacteristic of plunger 60, chamfering of plunger end 72 may furtherfacilitate installation of a stinger into a node for a new installation,or even an existing node upon which coaxial line maintenance is beingperformed. To reinstall the stinger, the plunger 60 will typically beloosened a few turns to provide clearance between plunger end 72 and thenail head.

Turning now to FIG. 5, housing base 18 is shown with amplifier assembly19 and stinger 20 installed. Amplifier chassis 19 is shown with supportlegs dashed for clarity, although the legs would be as visible as therest of the chassis as shown in the figure. Exerting device 30 is shownpartially installed; it will be appreciated that as hexagonal head 66 isturned clockwise (for right hand threads), the exerting device will movecloser and closer to interface 34 until plunger end 72 contacts stingerconductor 28. This contact forces stinger conductor 28 into contact withnail head 56 to result in electrical connection between RF path 74 ofstinger 20 and solder ball 54 on PCB 54. After plunger 72 contactsconductor 28 and pushes it against nail head 56, turning of hexagonalhead 66 may continue without damage occurring to the stinger centerconductor, because spring 62 compresses as flange 64 moves closer tohousing 16. If spring 62 is a properly designed coil spring, forexample, its characteristics should obey Hooke's Law, which is F=k*x. Fis the force exerted by a linear spring, x is the amount of distance aspring has deflected from its rest state and k is known as the springconstant. If exerting device 30 is manufactured such that spring 62 isin a partially compressed state, a force in accordance with Hooke's Lawwill be exerted against plunger base 68 and flange 64, which is rigidlyattached to barrel 58. This force may be referred to as the preload (P)of spring 62. Thus, the as-installed force equation representing theforce exerted by plunger 72 when it forces conductor 28 into contactwith nailhead 56 is F=P+k*x.

If device 30 is manufactured such that k is low and preload P is lessthan the force that could cause damage to either conductor 28 orinterface 34, then the force applied by plunger 72 will be essentiallythe preload force P regardless of how many turns of as hexagonal head 66are used to bring flange stop 64 into contact with the node housing, thefinal position of the plunger for forcing the conductor into contactwith nailhead 56. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that althoughthe force will increase proportionally with deflection of spring 62(caused by continued turning of hexagonal head 66 after plunger 72 hasmotivated conductor 28 into contact with nail head 56), if the springconstant k is kept low, the increase will be slight. Accordingly, forall practical purposes, the changes in force pushing conductor 28against nail head 56 will be negligible as hexagonal head 66 is turnedafter plunger 72 contacts conductor 28 and conductor 28 subsequentlycontacts nail head 56.

Turning now to FIG. 6, housing base 18 is shown with amplifier assembly19 and stinger 20 installed. Exerting device 30 is shown fully installedwith plunger 72 exerting force against conductor 28, the exerted forcepushing conductor 28 against nail head 56. It is noted that hexagonalhead 66 has been turned until flange 64 seated against port 32. It isalso noted that plunger 72 extends a smaller distance beyond the top ofdevice 30, and that plunger 68 (shown in dashed lines behind the threadsof barrel 58) is recessed into the barrel, as compared to the same itemsas shown in FIG. 5. It is further noted that the coils of spring 62 arecloser together, indicating that the spring has deflected to accommodatethe seating of flange 64 against port 32. As discussed above, if spring62 has a properly designed spring factor k, the force exerted by plunger72 against conductor 28 will fall within a range between zero, when theplunger first contacts the conductor, and possibly up to a valueslightly higher than preload P. Thus, regardless of manufacturingtolerances of the dimensional relationship between the centerline ofport 22 and the plane of housing 18 in which port 32 lies, or thedimensional relationship of nail head 56 thereto, stinger 20 may beinstalled and reliably connected to the nail head by screwing exertiondevice 30 into port 32 until flange 64 bottoms thereon. Therefore, afield technician need not have to remove amplifier chassis 19 in orderto install stinger 20 into housing 16, nor have to apply a predeterminedtorque to device 30 to ensure positive electrical contact betweenconductor 28 and nail head 56 while preventing damage from overtightening. Accordingly, time needed for a technician to install ormaintain a node is reduced. The spring may also be designed not to exerttoo much force that would damage the stinger in the case that theamplifier is removed for maintenance while the plunger is stillinstalled from the initial installation. This design provides anadditional benefit to the technician when servicing the amplifier. Theamplifier may be removed and replaced without removing the stinger fromthe housing.

These and many other objects and advantages will be readily apparent toone skilled in the art from the foregoing specification when read inconjunction with the appended drawings. It is to be understood that theembodiments herein illustrated are examples only, and that the scope ofthe invention is to be defined solely by the claims when accorded a fullrange of equivalents.

1-5. (canceled)
 6. A device for exerting a force within a node housingcomprising: means for producing a force; means for containing the forceproducing means; extensible means for translating force produced by theforce producing means outward from the containing means; and means forsecuring the device to the housing without a predetermined torque andsuch that the translating means provides force constantly and evenly ina predetermined direction at a predetermined location within thehousing.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein the force producing means is aspring.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein the spring is helical.
 9. Thedevice of claim 6 wherein the containing means is a barrel.
 10. Thedeice of claim 6 wherein the securing means includes threads on theoutside of the containing means.
 11. The device of claim 6 wherein thetranslating means includes a plunger and a base coaxially related, thebase extending perpendicularly from the axis a greater distance thandoes the plunger, the expulsion prevention means including a stop lipdefining an opening larger than the perpendicular extent of the plungerbut smaller than the perpendicular extent of the base. 12-13. (canceled)14. The device of claim 6 further comprising means for preventingexpulsion of the translating means from the containing means due toforce from the force producing means.
 15. A method for electricallyconnecting a stinger into a network node, said method comprising thefollowing steps: installing the stinger into the network node withoutopening the network node; electrically interfacing with a conductor ofthe stinger; and exerting a force on said conductor of the stinger inorder to electrically interface with said conductor.
 16. The method ofclaim 15 wherein said step of installing the stinger is free fromapplying a predetermined torque to a device opposing said conductor ofthe stinger to ensure transfer of electrical energy from the stinger.17. A method for electrically connecting a stinger into a network node,said method comprising the following steps: electrically interfacingwith a conductor of the stinger; and exerting an even and constant forceon said conductor of the stinger in order to electrically interface withsaid conductor.
 18. A method for electrically connecting a stinger intoa network node, said method comprising the following steps: electricallyinterfacing with a conductor of the stinger; and performing maintenanceon the network node by replacing the stinger without opening the networknode.
 19. A method for electrically connecting a stinger into a networknode, said method comprising the following steps: electricallyinterfacing with a conductor of the stinger; and performing maintenanceon the network node by replacing the stinger without removing anamplifier from the network node.